Class parties, program, & Reindeer Run

Whoa! We have had a very busy 2 days here. Thursday I dropped Hayden off at MDO and then went to Carter's kindergarten class to help with their Christmas party. We decorated cookies and played Christmas bingo. 22 kindergarteners wore me out! The kids were adorable and it was so much fun to see Carter interact with his friends. Then I ran to pick up Hayden from MDO and back to kindergarten for the kindergarten musical program. Heath met us there and we all enjoyed it so much. The kids sang about 10 Christmas and Hanukah songs. Then it was back to the classroom to eat cookies and collect the goodie bags they had made. Finally, Friday morning at 8:30 was the "Reindeer Run" where the entire school (720 kids) ran around the perimeter of the school dressed in holiday attire. Families were welcome so Hayden and I joined Carter. It was fun but very, very cold. Hayden wasn't too thrilled. Home for some hot coffee afterward.

class party

musical program (Carter's in the middle of back row)

Carter & his friend Matthew

decorating cookies

The zoo and Santa

For some reason Carter has been asking to go to the zoo for about 2 weeks now; especially to see the snakes. He's becoming so interested in science lately--the other day he told me he wanted to be an astronomer, but not an astronaut. :) Anyway, Saturday morning was perfect weather for going to the zoo and just crisp enough that there was not too many people there. Great time! Then on Sunday, despite Mom being diagnosed with strep, we went to Cabela's to see Santa. Although we waited in line for over an hour, it was worth it. It was a much less commercialized Santa experience than going to the mall. And, pictures were free! The kids had a great time. Back to school and work tomorrow.

We want a Lego Wii remote and a "Stinky" for Christmas, Santa.

Mrs. Claus

Carrying the candy cane like a rifle (well, we were in Cabela's!)

cute picture--don't know why I can't get it to rotate

komodo dragon @ the Fort Worth zoo

Christmas Preparation

Today was the last warm fall day before a big cold front rolls in and drops our temperatures to winter weather. On a whim I decided to rake the leaves in the front yard and let the boys jump in them. Of course they had to throw their Hotwheels in the leaf piles too. Daddy put up the outdoor decorations and then after dinner we put up our Christmas tree and indoor decorations. The boys had a blast putting on the ornaments. Now the Christmas season begins! Time for baking cookies, seeing lights, and generally celebrating this happy time of year!

On Saturday we found ourselves in Dallas for another errand, so Heath suggested stopping by the Galleria to see their Christmas decorations. The kids loved the huge tree in the middle of the ice rink. There was also a magic/puppet show they enjoyed. Such fun!


Merry Christmas!


The tree at the Galleria

Our tree


Did the dinosaurs attend the Nativity?

playing in the leaves

Thanksgiving week

The boys were out of school for a week for Thanksgiving so Heath took off Tues. and Wed. as well. We had lots of appointments and errands to do here before leaving for Gran and Gramps' place for Thanksgiving. The boys got to go to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch on Tues. (Dad's idea) and thought that was pretty cool. There was lots of work for Heath to do on his parents' farm and unfortunately he ended up getting strep while we were there too. Too much sickness going around this fall. The boys enjoyed playing with their second cousins, Jake and Jessica, while their dads did farm work. Hayden's highlight of the week was putting up Gran's Christmas tree which he'd been asking to do for awhile. Carter especially liked watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Now it's back to school and the normal routine. Hayden had a particularly hard time going to MDO this morning. I think he's used to being attached to Mom's hip for a week now.

decorating Gran and Gramps' Christmas tree

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween & Grammy's visit

Grammy came to spend a week with us and we had such a good time! We mostly just stuck with the daily routine of school, MDO, t-ball, etc., with a few extras thrown in there. We got to visit the Kimbell Art Museum's Maya exhibit one day when the kids were in school and then met Heath for lunch at Joe T. Garcia's. Carter and I took Mom to the Fort Worth Water Gardens--one of the few places she hasn't been in the 10 years we've lived in the metroplex. On Halloween we went to a birthday party for one of Carter's friends which included trick-or-treating in their neighborhood. Mom really enjoyed seeing the kids get dressed up. We also carved our pumpkins and Mom learned how to roast the seeds (although she didn't care for eating them too much). We enjoyed watching the Rangers play in the World Series, even though they didn't win. It was such a great week and we are sad to see Grammy go home. Love you Grammy!



Scary Alien & Bob the Builder


Carter carved this pumpkin all by himself!

Hayden's pumpkin





Grammy & Carter at the FW Water Gardens

"Active Pool"

Watch D.O.G.S. Day!

Today was the much anticipated Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) Day for Heath where he got to spend the entire day at Carter's kindergarten. He wore his special shirt which denoted him as a Watch Dog and the 2 of them left for school together at 7:15am. Heath's first job was to help the students unload from their cars during drop-off. Then he spent the morning helping in the computer lab with the 4th, 2nd, and 1st grade students. At lunchtime he got to eat with Carter and then stayed thru the whole lunch period, helping and interacting with the students. Apparently Watch Dogs are pretty popular among the kids! In the afternoon Heath got to go to Music with the class and then helped Ms. Goldman in the classroom till the end of the day. After telling us about his day, Heath fell asleep on the couch--I think he'll keep his day job, but he sure had a good time! What a great program for both the dads and the students.

My Daddy's a Watch Dog!

Texas State Fair

We have lived in DFW almost 11 years and had only been once to the State Fair. So, when Carter brought home a free ticket from kindergarten, we decided we'd go again and see what the boys thought of it. We knew it would be crowded on a weekend, but it was REALLY crowded. We got there early though and were able to do everything we wanted to: "Little Hands on the Farm", petting zoo, car show, dog show, and eating some fair food with Big Tex. The kids were real troopers. It was a fun time with lots of good photo memories.

Carter driving the $76K Corvette

Hayden's turn!

Hayden enjoying a Fletchers Corny Dog

"Little Hands on the Farm"

Hayden got to sit in a "digger"

Birthdays!

Well, Carter has been asking for a Chuck E. Cheese birthday party since the day following his 5-year-old party at Cabela's. So, that is what we did this year. It turned out to be so much fun. We invited 4 boys from his MDO last year and 1 boy from church. Unfortunately cousin Ellen and our friend Cassie couldn't come. Gran and Gramps drove down for the birthday weekend. The boys played lots of games and got lots of tickets. Carter got to go inside the "ticket blaster" and got 500 addtional tickets. He and Hayden were able to get a whole bag of prizes when we left. Carter was so generous in sharing his tickets with his brother.

On Carter's actual birthday I took cupcakes to school. I enjoyed meeting all the kids he talks about. Hayden thought he was one of the bunch--walking with the kids from their classroom to the picnic tables outside for treats.

Of course it's Heath's birthday as well so we ate dinner at a casual burger place (Kincaid's) at his request. Then opened presents and ate strawberry cupcakes (also Heath's request). What a great birthday week! Happy Birthday to my 2 boys!



Mama & her boys


Dad's Dwight Schrute bobblehead--sweet!


Carter eating cupcakes at school

Birthday Star!



Chuck E. Cheese

Birthday Boy! (& ticket blaster)

Auntie Heather and Uncle Dave's wedding

We spent an extended weekend in downtown Austin for the much-anticipated wedding of Heath's sister to Boston native, Dave Goodhue. What a fun weekend it was! Thursday night was the rehearsal in beautiful St. Mary's Cathederal followed by a delicious dinner at Stubb's BBQ. The younger crowd (or should I say those without children) stayed afterward for some good Texas music, but we retired to the hotel with the kiddos. My mom flew in for the festivities and it was so nice to have her there to share the occasion with as well as to help out with the boys. Friday we walked to the Austin Children's Museum which was just perfect for the boys to play and explore. Heath and Carter spent the afternoon at the hotel pool while Hayden and I napped. Friday night we ate at the best crepe place just next to our hotel. After a walk down 6th Street (boys not included), we called it a night. The wedding was Saturday at 2pm. The boys were adorable in their "fancy clothes" and it was fun for our whole family to get dressed up. Heath was a reader in the ceremony and the boys were the ring bearers. Of course Heather was an absolutely stunning bride. The reception that followed was lots of fun. Carter and Hayden really got down on the dance floor. Don't know where they get that rhythm--certainly not from me! We are so happy to welcome Uncle Dave into our family. Best wishes to the newly married couple.

Shakin' a leg on the dance floor

waiting for the trolly to take us to the church

my family

2 handsome boys

Carter at the Austin Children's Museum


Heather and Dave (with best man, Michael)

ringer bearers

T-ball, Preschool, Grandparents' Day

Mr. Hayden started preschool this week. He was really excited to go back to "school" but when the time came to drop him off, there were many tears. He's gotten used to being with Mommy all the time in the summer and it's hard being away from her. But his teachers said he calmed down quickly and had a great day. Look how cute he is with all his gear. :)

Carter is playing t-ball this fall and enjoying it so much. His coaches are wonderful--so positive and encouraging with the boys. There are 7 players on his team. Carter is all smiles at every practice and game. Go Wildcats!!!!!!

Finally, Gran and Gramps were able to come stay with us this Friday and Saturday. They went to Carter's kindergarten for Grandparents Day. Carter got to give us all a tour of his school. It was neat to see all the places they go--gym, art, music, etc. We ended in the library at the Scholastic Book Fair where we got Carter some books from his "wish list". Gran and Gramps stayed Saturday morning to watch Carter's t-ball game. What fun! The boys sure love their grandparents. :)

going back to preschool!

Carter playing 3rd base

Carter batting

First week of Kindergarten!

Our little baby (who's almost 6) started kindergarten on Monday. We met his teacher last week and were really pleased with who he got. Her name is Mrs. Goldman and she's taught K-3rd for 15 years. I cried when I read him a "going to kindergarten" book Sunday night, but Monday morning there were no tears! We all got up early and took him to class. He was the second child in the room and went right to his seat and started coloring. I was so proud! The 3 of us then went to the library where the PTA had put on a "Tears and Cheers" get-together for the kindergarten parents. There were packets of kleenex nicely wrapped up and coffee, juice, muffins, and cookies. The principal came and spoke for awhile and we got to visit with other kinder parents. When I picked up Carter in the afternoon he said, "mom, I want to stay!" His teacher poked her head in the van and said, "Carter was so, so good. He's a model student." Wow--way to make a mama proud! Tuesday I walked him to class again and things went fine. However, the school nurse called me at 11:30 saying Carter had gotten sick in the cafeteria. I felt so bad for him! He spent the afternoon at home resting. He already said he missed his friends. Wednesday he woke up at 7am feeling great and ready for the day. However, I had to keep him home until he was fever-free for 24 hours. Hayden was so excited that brother was staying home to play with him! Thursday and Friday were uneventful except that Carter started telling us more about what they do at school--the routines; how they wash their hands (to the alphabet song); music, P.E., and art class; who he plays with at recess, etc. You know Carter--he doesn't talk much about stuff like that so it's hard to get info. from him. Also on Thursday and Friday we worked with the drop-off routine--Heath will be taking Carter to school on his way to work. It's sure hard for this Mama to watch her "baby" walk into the school by himself and sit with his class. But I know it's part of letting go.

Hayden is adjusting to being home with Mom. He misses brother but also enjoys playing with brother's "forbidden" toys while Carter's at school. He wants to play with brother after school, but this week Carter's been too tired after coming home to play much. I'm sure that will change when we get into this routine more. Today Hayden and I are attending a Kindermusic class to see how he likes it. We are either going to Kindermusic or Little Gym this fall, just me and Hayden.

Mrs. Goldman's room

Parkview Elementary School




brothers

ready for kindergarten!